ROVERS goalscoring legend Simon Garner is delighted to see Burnley back in Division One and ready to resume their rivalry with his former club.

But Garner, who scored two penalties to give Blackburn victory in the last League derby between the two clubs in 1983, believes Rovers will be top dogs in East Lancashire next season as they push for promotion back to the Premiership.

"I can't say anything else, can I?" he said.

"I expect with Graeme Souness as manager that Rovers will be challenging this year."

Garner admitted that he didn't expect the two near neighbours to have to wait 17 years before facing each other in League football again, with the first fixture since then being scheduled for December 16.

"Burnley had a very bad patch and nearly went out of the League, while Blackburn got the money through Jack Walker and went from strength to strength. But Burnley have slowly come back up there again," he said.

And Garner, who scored 168 League goals in a Rovers shirt, insists that's a positive thing.

"It's good for the area that Burnley have come up, and Preston as well," he added.

"It takes you back to the olden days when they were all in the top-flight and playing each other.

"Years ago when I used to play, the Burnley result was the most important one of the season.

"Blackburn will be looking to win promotion, while Burnley would probably be looking to stay in the division and get used to it. And if they stay up and win one of the drbies their supporters will probably be happy."